Depth of Field Adapter on Steroids

ProfHankD wrote:

fferreres wrote:

ProfHankD wrote:

So, the question is: Does targeting cheap, but discontinued, PowerShot ELPH models make sense for Faboky?

Yes, and no. Will the camera use a ground glass?

No. The screen is a plastic sheet that loses a lot of light, but has virtually no texture.

If so chances are the resolution is already really limited.

The lens itself is almost certainly the resolution limiter here, and I don't (yet) have any measurements from it, but I wouldn't expect more than about 6MP over the field. In the center, it's significantly better than at the edges, so a 20MP sensor might see some additional detail in the central area.

In this case, using and adjusting for a used cell phone could be revolutionary in the sense that would allow instant posting of these images and be a sensation. I think chances are some very popular android model would work well, one of those brands will larger sensors, which will make the rig very cheap, then open up possibilities for others to create apps for it, eg. live streaming video, adding a mic, etc.

I've considered cell phones, but the cameras vary too much, and doing comparable processing would be harder with a cell phone app than with CHDK (although the cell phone processing would execute faster because PowerShots are typically 80MHz dual-core ARM with very little memory). There's also the issue that even an old cell phone costs more than a current PowerShot ELPH model.

Them, a later model could move to M43.

Which body and which lens? MFT doesn't standardize shape/size of either, so a generic mounting isn't really feasible. Incidentally, I believe the huge unit that started this conversation has the same problem -- they just didn't discuss the lack of a real camera mount: see around 12:12 in the video . Faboky is tiny in comparison. The whole thing would fit in an 8" diameter tube two feet long. (Tiny only in comparison.) Thus, the camera mounting needs to be fairly precise and not leak light in at the camera connection. A little reminder: Faboky will only weigh around 600g -- less than 1/3 of a Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, to use a DPReview-favorite measure.

I think the discontinued cameras are a dead end. What will happen is the rig is liked by many, will make some hoard these old cameras. Not ideal, but definitely would be fun to watch, and a great case study for an economics course in supply/demand.

Worst case, they'd spend $250 for a new ELPH 360HS, which isn't discontinued. However, I think you are GROSSLY UNDERESTIMATING how many old PowerShots are out there. There are probably 50 models supported by CHDK, manufactured over a period of nearly two decades, that should fit this mount.

I wasn't aware CHDK could run many models of these cameras, so if there are new (and old) this would be a sound choice. There's always the chance to have other people adapt to something else, but it seems to me it'd be perfect if there's vast numbers, and much better with a model in production. When things run into issues is when there's limited supply. For example, I recall this particular scanner (battery operated and 8x11 iirc) that was used as a back, who sold for next to nothing, and after the project go some traction you could not find one for less than $300.

What the camera has is insane f-equivalent. Just earlier today I was experimenting with my new 4x5 and taking pictures of the ground glass. The A7RIII gets the shape and microdetails of the ground glass as well as the very fine contour of the fresnel lens. Not necessary at all. 6MP GOOD MP would be more than enough. It's the bokeh, not the crisp detail. For crisp detail I use my 70 years old Elmars. But f0.38? Either simulated or a rig like this. There's no other way.

The screen on this is about the same size as on a 4x5" camera. Given that, the math tells you the lens I'm using is roughly f/1.6 -- and that should explain why the lens resolution is probably the limiting factor.